Monday, 19 October 2015:We are in the year 2015 and indeed it is a world where the tech industry is flourishing greater than ever as seen in CES 2015 earlier this year – CES stands for Consumer Electronics Showcase. What’s most surprising is that there was a whole lot of automotive tech going on this time around and it comes no surprise that there is a Global Solar Race happening right now as we speak!

According to World Solar Challenge, the race starts in Darwin in the Northern Territory and travels the Stuart Highway to Port Augusta and then via Highway 1 to the finish in the City of Adelaide in South Australia – totaling 3,000 km.

The Solar EV’s will form up in State Square from 0630 on Sunday 18th October and depart the steps of Parliament House via Bennett Street and Tiger Brennan Drive. The finish line in Adelaide will be in Victoria Square. The leading cars are expected late Wednesday or early Thursday (21/22 October).
According to the organizers, “It’s all about energy management! Based on the original notion that a 1000 W car would complete the journey in 50 hours, solar cars are allowed a nominal 5 kW hours of stored energy, which is 10% of that theoretical figure. All other energy must come from the sun or be recovered from the kinetic energy of the vehicle, making these vehicles, arguably the most efficient electric vehicles.”

There are a few classes in this race, namely, the Challenger Class, Cruiser Class and also the Adventure Class and each of it have its own fine details which can be checked out over here. However, unlike all other races, there seems to be no prize for the team which completes the World Solar Challenge as Champion. We would like to think that this race is purely in the name of innovation and sustainability. I wonder whether Malaysia would play host one day for such a race as this? It would definitely be momentous! However, if you’re not too fond of races, you can just bask at some of the elegant-looking cars designed by the teams.

For more info, do check out the links below, especially the World Solar Challenge One! Happy Monday!